DISASTROUS DRILL!

Morena/Bharatpur: An Indian Air Force pilot was killed after two fighter jets — a Sukhoi Su-30 and a Mirage 2000 — crashed during a training exercise near Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh on Saturday. While the two pilots on the Su-30 sustained minor injuries, the pilot on the Mirage died after being fatally wounded in the crash. Wreckage of the crashed aircraft was found in Bharatpur in Rajasthan and Morena in MP. IAF has ordered a court of inquiry to examine if a mid-air collision led to crash.

TWO PILOTS SAFE: Su-30 had 2 pilots while Mirage 2000 had 1 pilot during the crash. Initial reports suggest both pilots are safe and sustained minor injuries.

DEFENCE MINISTER BRIEFED: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh took stock of the situation, spoke to IAF chief VR Chaudhari & is monitoring situation.

Deeply anguished by the loss of brave air warrior, Wg Cdr Hanumanth Rao Sarathi, who suffered fatal injuries during an accident near Gwalior. - Rajnath Singh

The news of crash is very sad. I have instructed the local administration to cooperate with the Air Force in quick rescue and relief work. - Shivraj Singh Chouhan

Two jets -Mirage & Sukhoitook off from Gwalior in the morning. As per IAF, one aircraft had 2 pilots, while the other had one; 2 safely rescued, the body parts of the 3rd were found. Some parts of the jet were found in Bharatpur (Rajasthan), and details are being collected. — Ashutosh Bagri, Morena SP